DWP confirms PIP changes will also affect 'light touch' award reviews

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced that the upcoming overhaul of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) will involve changes for individuals with 'light touch' awards, usually reviewed after a decade.

Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms detailed that the newly released Green Paper discusses "plans to consider changes to improve the experience for people who receive these ongoing awards in PIP".

He also mentioned intentions to enhance the information provided by the DWP when delivering an ongoing PIP award, bolster support for recipients between assessments, and "reviewing the length of time between 'light touch' reviews".

The reaction from the DWP Minister emerges in response to Liberal Democrat MP Ian Roome's question on adjustments to "PIP reassessments for claimants afflicted with long-term degenerative illnesses".

Sir Stephen responded in writing to the enquiry: "Award reviews are an important feature of Personal Independence Payment to ensure people receive the correct level of benefit, both for those whose needs will increase and those whose needs may decrease.

"People who receive the highest level of PIP and whose needs will not improve, receive a PIP award for a continuous period with a light touch review at the 10-year point.

"In the Green Paper Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working published on 18 March we outline plans to consider changes to improve the experience for people who receive these ongoing awards in PIP.

"These include improving the information we provide when we write to people about ongoing PIP award decisions, what support is offered between 'light touch' reviews and reviewing the length of time between 'light touch' reviews."

The proposed welfare reforms are set to be implemented in November 2026 for new applicants. Existing recipients will not experience any changes until their current award is up for review - the date of this can be found on your award letter, as reported by the Daily Record.

According to the latest DWP statistics, as of the end of January, approximately 3.7 million people across Great Britain were receiving PIP - now worth up to £749.80 every four weeks following the annual uprating in April.

The data also shows that 1.5m PIP claimants have an ongoing award, lasting five years or more, for a disability, long-term illness, physical or mental health condition.

Over 58 per cent of individuals claiming PIP for a visual disease receive a monthly award of up to £749.80 for five years or longer.

Over half of all claimants with general musculoskeletal conditions (50.8%) such as arthritis, muscle or joint pain, have been granted a longer award, along with 49.5 per cent of individuals with a neurological condition like epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and muscular dystrophy.

The current version of the PIP Handbook outlines that the decision maker will determine an award of PIP based on the impact of the claimant's health condition or disability on their daily life and their capacity to live independently. It further states: "The length of award will be based upon each claimant's individual circumstances."

It's crucial to note that the DWP guidance also indicates most claimants will have their award regularly reviewed, "regardless of the length of the award" to ensure "everyone continues to receive the most appropriate level of support".

Some claimants will receive a limited term award for a fixed period of up to two years - the DWP confirms these awards will not be reviewed. Limited awards with no review date are given where the claimant's health condition may reasonably be expected to improve.

A 'light touch' review is typically granted to claimants who have:

• very stable needs which are unlikely to change over time
• high level needs which will either stay the same or get worse
• a planned award review date due on or at State Pension age
• a special rules for end of life claim due when of State Pension age

DWP guidance reads: "These claimants would not usually be expected to have a face-to-face assessment at review."

The annual increase of 1.7 per cent will result in individuals on disability benefits receiving between £29.20 and £187.45 each week, equating to £116.80 or £749.80 every four-week pay period. Over the financial year, those on the highest awards will receive an additional £9,747.

It's crucial to note that the maximum amount of £749.80 is based on someone receiving the highest award for both the daily living and mobility components.

Some people with varying health conditions can be awarded PIP for up to five years or more. The award is dependent on how the condition impacts the claimant.

The conditions listed below have the highest percentage rate of five-year or longer awards given to claimants at the end of January 2025:

Visual disease

Total number 58,685

5 year PIP award 34,692

Percentage 59%

Musculoskeletal disease (general)

Total number 682,391

5 year PIP award 341,434

Percentage 50.8%

Neurological disease

Total number 468,113

5 year PIP award 230,412

Percentage 49%

Respiratory disease

Total number 138,376

5 year PIP award 64,835

Percentage 47%

Autoimmune disease (connective tissue disorders)

Total number 19,542

5 year PIP award 8,697

Percentage 45%

Musculoskeletal disease (regional)

Total number 426,038

5 year PIP award 185,916

Percentage 43.6%

You will be paid the following amounts per week (paid every four weeks in arrears) - depending on your award:

Daily living

• Standard: £73.90
• Enhanced: £110.40

Mobility

• Standard: £29.20
• Enhanced: £77.05